Around 12,000 people work in international service companies, a sector which is being increasingly targeted by IDA Ireland in its drive to create jobs. The figure has risen from 7,000 five years ago, the Minister for Enterprise and Employment, Mr Bruton said yesterday.

More than one quarter of all IDA backed jobs are being created in such companies, he added. Mr Bruton was speaking at the announcement of a further 1,054 new jobs in service companies.